NYC Gridlock Alert Days 2024: United Nations General Assembly marks start of peak traffic season

MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) — Gridlock Alert Days begin Monday in New York City with the United Nations General Assembly and run through the 2024 holiday season.

Motorists should expect extensive road closures and delays throughout Manhattan throughout the week.

The annual meeting of world leaders ends on Monday, September 30th.

The NYC DOT strongly recommends that drivers use alternative modes of transportation, especially on these days.

According to officials, the average speed during UNGA in Midtown is less than 4 miles per hour.

New Yorkers are encouraged to get around the city using local trains, subways, buses, ferries, bicycles, or walking.

The NYC DOT has set 20 traffic jam warning days through the end of the year – the days when traffic is expected to be slowest and densest.

The traffic jam warning days in 2024 are:

Monday, September 23
Tuesday, September 24
Wednesday, September 25
Thursday, September 26
Friday, September 27
Wednesday, November 20
Thursday, 21 November
Friday, 22 November
Tuesday, November 26
Tuesday, December 3
Wednesday, December 4
Thursday, December 5
Friday, December 6
Tuesday, December 10
Wednesday, December 11
Thursday, December 12
Friday, December 13
Tuesday, December 17
Wednesday, December 18
Thursday, December 19

If you are a cyclist, you will be back during the General Assembly due to the success of the temporary bike lane through the tunnel between East 40th and East 49th Streets for UNGA over the past four years.

The NYC DOT is in the process of making the design permanent by redesigning the street.

According to officials, the barrier-protected bike lane will create an express lane for cyclists and micro-mobility users through part of Midtown.

For more information, visit nyc.gov/gridlockalert.

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